Used Supercommuter 8 advice request

[volinbham]

Hello all,

New to the forum but have lurked for a while getting some valuable information.

I currently have a Juiced Ocean Current (love it) but am looking for a second and more versatile e-bike - mostly city riding (streets and bike paths) with some gravel road on occasion.

I have an opportunity to purchase a demo Trek Supercommuter 8 with about 1500 miles on it. It is being sold as a demo but basically it was cosmetically damaged (small dent and paint scrape on top tube) so the shop used it as a demo and one of the employees used it as a commuter. Should come with the warranty and was never sold to a customer.

The asking price is $3000. I wasn't considering a SC8 but the price point has me considering.

1. Does this seem like a reasonable price?
2. Is 1500 miles on the drive train and battery an issue?


Thanks - I'll hang up an listen.

 

[rudym]

I own a super commuter 8 S and they are a fine bike, but, lacking in suspension. a good seat post w/suspension and stem with shock absorbtion will take care of that. Price at 3K is fair providing the battery and bike have not been mistreated.

 

[chriskmee]

I own the super commuter 8s and it is an awesome bike, for $3k for a used one sounds like a good deal. Given that this bike could replace a car in many aspects, I don't think 1500 miles is that much. I will probably put that much on mine within 5 months of owning it. I would maybe haggle a little just to see if you can get it for like $2800 or something, but even at $3k I think it's a good deal. I would double check on the warranty though, because the warranty might be void or already in progress because it was a demo model.

The battery has a 2 years or 500 full charge cycles warranty, and should still be good long after that (with reduced capacity), so there should still be plenty of life left in that battery. The drivetrain should be fine as well, the Bosch motor has shift sensing and it cuts power during a shift to help reduce excessive drivetrain wear. I only notice it cutting out when going up hill in turbo mode.

When it comes to gravel roads, the bike isn't the greatest given the lack of suspension. On light gravel going slow its not bad, i do this sometimes on my commute., The big tires and carbon fiber fork do help, but anything more than light gravel and it will be a bit bumpy. I would try the bike as is, and if you want some suspension look into something like the bodyfloat seatpost.

 

[volinbham]

Thanks for the advice so far. With regard to the gravel it would bike path, rails to trails type stuff. On one hand the lack of suspension is a concern but then again I used to ride a non-suspension mountain bike on all sorts of off road trails and dealt with it since that's all there was. I still have that bike (1985 Stumpjumper Sport) by the way.

I was looking more at things like the Giant Explore E but this opportunity came along it seems like a higher quality product for about the same cash. If a suspension post and stem would get me close to the shock reduction of the Giant's front fork I'd be fine.

Still 50/50 on the decision - I appreciate the input.

 

[chriskmee]

Another thing to note is that the tires have a range of 30-55PSI, so you have some room to adjust how forgiving the tires will be. I am on the heavy side so I stick with 50-55PSI, but if you are light enough going down to 30 PSI might help. If there is a place nearby you can test, it might be worth test riding the bike with lower tire pressure and seeing how it feels.

Also, did you mean to say you are looking at the Giant Quick-e? the Explore only goes 20mph.

One last thing, the lights on the super commuter are really impressive. Its low beam is 1100 lumens, that's brighter than most car/motorcycle headlights. It also has daytime running lights and a tail light for added visibility and safety.

 

[volinbham]

Yeah I figured between the seat post, tires and possibly stem I could get to where it was tolerable - wouldn't be fast riding anyway.

I meant the Explore since it's more of an all rounder; wasn't seeking a commuter bike per se. Definitely not as good of a motor on the Explore. Rented one in Colorado and liked it but wasn't blown away by the power (feels like my Ocean Current has more kick). Also considering the direct to customer offerings from Juiced, RadPower, M2S, etc.

This is kind of an opportunistic situation where I saw a good price and it has me thinking I can get a considerable quality upgrade over what I was looking at for not much additional cash. Had planned on 1500 (pre tariff) to 2500. Use won't change much - pleasure riding with rare true commuting. I figured with the great looks, good components, good motor and fat tires it could serve as an all rounder given most of my all round needs are paved or dedicated bike path.

Mostly I was wondering if people thought this was an okay deal, good deal, great deal, etc. and any concerns about motor/battery lifespan.

This bike might be overkill for what I have in mind but for the price it's in the mix.

 

[rich c]

For that kind of money, with those kind of miles, I'd expect a new chain, new brake pads, and a new battery.

 

[chriskmee]

For that kind of money, with those kind of miles, I'd expect a new chain, new brake pads, and a new battery.

A new chain and pads I could understand, but a new battery is $1k by itself, and the one in the bike is still good. Remember, this bike was about $5k new, so I don't think the $3k price warrants a brand new battery.

 

[Nova Haibike]

A new chain and pads I could understand, but a new battery is $1k by itself, and the one in the bike is still good. Remember, this bike was about $5k new, so I don't think the $3k price warrants a brand new battery.

Of course the shop does not pay $1K for a battery, so a new battery might be negotiated for a small premium. That said, the bike only has 1500 miles on it; the battery is probably only a fraction down from its full capacity.

 

[volinbham]

Probably a dumb question but would it be feasible to change the front fork to a suspension on if I decided I need one?

 

[fast]

For that kind of money, with those kind of miles, I'd expect a new chain, new brake pads, and a new battery.

Probably a dumb question but would it be feasible to change the front fork to a suspension on if I decided I need one?

By the way i think thats a great price for the super commuter and 1400 miles on it is nothing.
I also have a super commuter and have put on 4200 miles on it this yr. and have had not one problem with the bike.
In love with my bike.

 

[John from Connecticut]

Hello all,

New to the forum but have lurked for a while getting some valuable information.

I currently have a Juiced Ocean Current (love it) but am looking for a second and more versatile e-bike - mostly city riding (streets and bike paths) with some gravel road on occasion.

I have an opportunity to purchase a demo Trek Supercommuter 8 with about 1500 miles on it. It is being sold as a demo but basically it was cosmetically damaged (small dent and paint scrape on top tube) so the shop used it as a demo and one of the employees used it as a commuter. Should come with the warranty and was never sold to a customer.

The asking price is $3000. I wasn't considering a SC8 but the price point has me considering.

1. Does this seem like a reasonable price?
2. Is 1500 miles on the drive train and battery an issue?


Thanks - I'll hang up an listen.

I think the $3000 with the 2 year warrantee in writing is a good deal. I'd take it...I'm not specifically familiar with the SC 8, but I've heard nothing but great reviews. I own two Trek eBikes, an XM700+ and a Powerfly 7 MTB and I love them and zero problems in 3600 miles. Trek makes solid, well designed eBikes.

You ask an interesting question about adding a shock. I'm thinking the geometry of the frame may have something 'to say' about that. I'd
discuss it with someone who has the Tech skills. I certainly don't know, but I like your idea....I checked and the head tube angle on the SC8
and the Police eBike are within .5 a degree of each other. I have have no idea if that matters, but at least that angle is a near match if that means anything.

I like "Rich C"s post...A new chain and pads and a new battery, or perhaps sell you one a cost plus the battery that is on the bike. I'm
not as optimistic as Rich C that they'll include a new battery, but then again the shop may really want to move the bike. Let us know what you decide.

 

[fast]

rock shock reba will work

 

[volinbham]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. John mentioned the Police eBike and that also looks like something that might suit my needs.

Gonna stew on it for a bit. I'll let you know what I decide.

 

[volinbham]

Just an update. I've decided to pass on the SC8. I still think it's a great deal but it would be a compromise bike for me and as I think about all the changes I would make to it to get it more like what I want I realize I'm more enamored with the potential "deal" than the bike itself. I may end up paying a little more for something that is a better fit (leaning hard tail eMTB) but it will be new and less compromise.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[fast]

Just an update. I've decided to pass on the SC8. I still think it's a great deal but it would be a compromise bike for me and as I think about all the changes I would make to it to get it more like what I want I realize I'm more enamored with the potential "deal" than the bike itself. I may end up paying a little more for something that is a better fit (leaning hard tail eMTB) but it will be new and less compromise.

Thanks for all the input.

 

[fast]

who is selling the sc8 might be i would bye it?

 

[bob armani]

Thanks for all the helpful replies. John mentioned the Police eBike and that also looks like something that might suit my needs.

Gonna stew on it for a bit. I'll let you know what I decide.

FYI-The Trek PE is only available to law enforcement officials (verified by Trek USA). Bummer!

 

[rich c]

A new chain and pads I could understand, but a new battery is $1k by itself, and the one in the bike is still good. Remember, this bike was about $5k new, so I don't think the $3k price warrants a brand new battery.

I know that is an expensive bike, but I also find it hard to understand it being called a demo bike with 1,500 miles. That is a used bike. That was my thinking for a new battery.

 

[volinbham]

who is selling the sc8 might be i would bye it?

Cahaba Cycles - Birmingham AL. It's at the Oak Mountain location. Last time I checked availability was when I posted.